The impact of adding compassion-focused modules to a commercial weight management program on control of self-evaluation, emotion, eating, weight and wellbeing
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN16873876 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN16873876 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | 105-13-PG |
| Sponsor | University of Derby |
| Funder | Slimming World |
- Submission date
- 26/01/2016
- Registration date
- 27/01/2016
- Last edited
- 01/07/2020
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
Shame and self-criticism may cause people to overeat to feel better. Compassion-focused therapy (CFT) is a talking therapy that helps people to be compassionate to themselves, with the aim of reducing shame and self-criticism. The University of Derby is examining whether adding compassion-focused online video exercises into a commercial weight-loss programme (the intervention) helps people to feel better about themselves, improves their well-being, and also helps them take control of their eating habits and therefore body weight compared to the regular programme.
Who can participate?
Participants over the age of 18, attending a Slimming World group and have a BMI of between 20-70.
What does the study involve?
Slimming World groups are assigned to either a intervention or control group depending upon the number of participants per group leader, number of paying participants and how many people in the group keep attending (retention percentage). Those participants in the control groups have their sessions as usual. Those in the intervention groups are given eight specific video-based exercises that focus on conscious awareness, breathing, mindfulness, compassionate imagery, compassionate self, and working with compassionate self, showing compassion to the inner critic and compassionate letter writing. The study will measure the impact of the intervention through psychological questionnaires, body weight and programme attendance before the study starts and then after 3, 6 and 12 months.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The researchers do not expect that taking part will pose any additional risk and may not provide a detectable benefit to the participants.
Where is the study run from?
The study will take part at Slimming World groups and run from the University of Derby.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
March 2014 to October 2015
Who is funding the study?
Slimming World (UK)
Who is the main contact?
Professor R James Stubbs
Contact information
Scientific
College of Life and Natural Sciences
University of Derby
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB
United Kingdom
 ORCID ID |
0000-0002-0843-9064 |
|---|
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-centre two-arm parallel design |
| Secondary study design | Non randomised study |
| Study type | Participant information sheet |
| Scientific title | The impact of adding compassion-focused modules to a commercial weight management programme on weight-related self-evaluation, emotion, wellbeing, control of eating and body weight outcomes: an interventional study |
| Study objectives | 1. The addition of online compassion-focused modules into a commercial weight management programme will improve self-evaluation (shame, self criticism, self reassurance and weight focused affect), compared to usual practice at 3 months. 2. The addition of online compassion-focused modules into a commercial weight management programme will improve psychological adjustment (symptoms of depression, stress, anxiety and wellbeing), compared to usual practice at 3 months. 3. The addition of online compassion-focused modules into a commercial weight management programme will improve psychometric measures of control (restraint, disinhibition and perceived hunger) and loss of control of eating (binge eating symptoms, compared to usual practice at 3 months. 4. The addition of online compassion-focused modules into a commercial weight management programme will improve weight outcomes (weight loss, adherence and retention) at 3 months in a commercial weight management programme. |
| Ethics approval(s) | University of Derby Ethics committee, 25/02/2014, ref: 105-13-PG. |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | Weight management |
| Intervention | Slimming World groups were assigned to the intervention or control arm based on balanced performance criteria of group leaders (termed Consultants in the Slimming World programme). These criteria were total number of participants per group leader, number of paying participants per group leader in the last week of the month prior to the study (some attend without fees), retention percentage. 1. Control arm: Multicomponent commercial weight management programme. 2. Intervention arm: The same multicomponent commercial weight management programme with the addition of 3 days training for weight management group leaders and online video exercises available to participants throughout the trial. Both training for group leaders and exercises available to participants centred around: 1. An overview introductory video about compassion-based approaches in the context of weight management 2. 8 specific video based exercises focused on conscious awareness, breathing, mindfulness, compassionate imagery, compassionate self, and working with compassionate self, showing compassion to our inner critic and compassionate letter writing |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
1. Change between baseline and 3 months, compared to control, in self-evaluation (shame, self criticism, self reassurance and weight focused affect) |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Participants experience and perception of participating in the programme after exposure to components of compassionate-based online modules (measured by focus groups and questionnaires) |
| Completion date | 30/10/2015 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Healthy volunteer |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 85 |
| Key inclusion criteria | 1. Members of the public who are attending the commercial weight management support sessions 2. Aged over 18 years 3. A BMI range between 20-70 |
| Key exclusion criteria | 1. Participants in the commercial weight management programme who cannot read and write English (since this would prevent the use of standardised psychometric measures) 2. Participants in the commercial weight management programme with a BMI below 20 and above 70 3. Participants in the commercial weight management programme below the age of 18 4. Participants who were pregnant or lactating 5. Participants disclosing diagnosis of an eating disorder |
| Date of first enrolment | 24/03/2014 |
| Date of final enrolment | 14/10/2014 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- United Kingdom
- England
Study participating centre
Kedleston Road
Derby
DE22 1GB
United Kingdom
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | No |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Data sharing statement to be made available at a later date |
| IPD sharing plan |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Results article | results | 05/12/2019 | 01/07/2020 | Yes | No |
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Editorial Notes
01/07/2020: Publication reference added.
29/03/2018: No publications found, verifying study status with principal investigator.
